This popular 18-mile asphalt trail runs from Lake Needwood in Montgomery County into DC.

WalkScore

Walk Score measures the walkability of any address by analyzing hundreds of walking routes to nearby amenities. Points are awarded based on the distance to amenities in each category. Amenities within a 5 minute walk (.25 miles) are given maximum points. A decay function is used to give points to more distant amenities, with no points given after a 30-minute walk.

Walking Benefits:

Improved Health Just 30 minutes of walking per day can reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and depression.

It’s Good for the Economy Walking isn’t just free; it’s good for business. DC’s most successful commercial streets have the highest numbers of people walking on them.

Meeting People in the Community Walking helps you get familiar with a neighborhood and increases the likelihood of meeting your neighbors.

It’s Good for the Environment Walking is emissions free and doesn’t produce greenhouse gases. Trails and sidewalks are also an efficient use of limited land.

Improved Performance at Work Walking, as a form of aerobic exercise, improves time and workload management, helping you feel motivated and more prepared to deal with stress.

Safety Best Practices:

Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections. Remember, jaywalking is illegal and unsafe.

Obey all traffic signs and signals. Use pedestrian pushbuttons and begin crossing the street on the “Walk” signal. If there aren’t any pedestrian crossing lights, wait until it is safe to cross. Bear in mind that cyclists have the right-of-way.

Look both ways before crossing. Always check that the intersection is clear and that drivers and cyclists see you before stepping onto the crosswalk or road. Make eye contact and wait for cars to stop.

Watch for drivers making unexpected moves. Assume drivers can’t see you. Even cars that appear to be slowing down may not stop. Watch out for trucks and buses backing out of parking spaces and driveways.

Stay visible. Make yourself visible by wearing bright or reflective clothing. Consider carrying a flashlight or blinking light at night.

Be bike-friendly. Avoid blocking, standing or walking in dedicated bike lanes. Keep in mind, bicyclists have the right-of-way and always ride with traffic.

Washington, DC is designated as a Gold-level Walk-friendly Community due to its high transit and walking mode share, and exceptional planning and engineering. DDOT continually undertakes infrastructure projects that make moving around the city safe and convenient, including installing sidewalks, crosswalks, and crossing signals.

Every trip begins and ends with a walk. Increasing walking for any type of trip has the potential to reduce traffic congestion, add to the city’s livability and improve the environment and public health. moveDC is DDOT’s long-term transportation plan and contains recommendations to improve the pedestrian experience – better crosswalks, more sidewalks, and safer streets.

The walking pedestrian light signals that it’s safe to cross the street.

The time remaining may appear next to the signal. When you see the flashing hand and countdown, it’s too late to begin crossing. Wait until the next walking pedestrian light.

The steady hand means don’t cross and wait until the next walking pedestrian light.

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The HAWK is a signal-beacon with an activated push-button, designed to help pedestrians safely cross busy streets. HAWK-hybrid pedestrian signals have four sequences:

Blank signals upon activation with Steady Don’t Walk

Flashing yellow signals upon activation with Steady Don’t Walk

Solid RED with Steady Don’t Walk

Alternating Red with Steady Don’t Walk

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An RRFB is a high-intensity LED flasher activated by a pedestrian movement that supplements warning signs at unsignalized intersections or mid-block crosswalks. RRFB’s are designed to alert drivers that pedestrians are in the crosswalk.

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SHARE YOUR LOVE OF WALKING

I #walkDC because :

it’s the healthiest way to see the sights.

I live in one of the most walk-friendly cities in America—and take advantage of it!

Browse the survey results of the region’s commuters by the TPB’s Commuter Connections Program.

SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOURS

Take a stroll through DC history when you follow one of Cultural Tourism DC’s self-guided Neighborhood Heritage Trails. Follow the trail signs at your own pace, sampling neighborhood character, businesses and restaurants along the way.

Adams Morgan Heritage Trail

Visit this neighborhood that’s seen it all. From Colonial era upper class families and Victorian architecture to revolutionaries and activists, Adams Morgan has history covered.

Barracks Row Heritage Trail

See the oldest Marine Corps post and the birthplace of John Philip Sousa in this quaint, but classic military neighborhood.

Plan your next walking adventure with our transit map.

DDOT PARTNER PROGRAMS

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WALK CHALLENGE

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

The easiest way to walk more is to make walking a habit. Think of ways to include walking into your daily routine. Strike up a friendly competition with colleagues and friends to see who can get those most steps in each day.

We provide step-by-step instructions on how to kick-start your walk challenge.